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[marko]

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[James (Jim) Hillier]

Toolwiz TimeFreeze comes to us from Toolwiz Software, a relative newcomer to the ranks of software development and distribution. Toolwiz appears to be concentrating on providing quality freeware, there are already quite a few nice freeware programs available under the Toolwiz banner - the flagship product is Toolwiz Care but it was Toolwiz TimeFreeze which caught my eye. Because I am continually testing and evaluating all types of software, I just had to take TimeFreeze for a test drive.

"Toolwiz TimeFreeze is a free instant solution to keep your system safe and always like new.  It protects your system from any unwanted changes and malicious activity in low disk level.
With a simple click,  it puts your actual system under virtual protection on the fly and creates a virtual environment on which you can evaluate applications, watch movies, and perform online activities."

Installation was quick and uneventful without any nasty surprises, the only aspect worth mentioning is that it requires a restart to complete. TimeFreeze itself is very easy to use and, more importantly, extremely effective. Initiating the software opens up a plain, simple interface with two main options; ‘Start TimeFreeze’ and ‘Start File Protection’:


"Start TimeFreeze" is obviously the main function but the secondary file protection feature is an interesting and very useful addition which can be utilized to protect user designated files/folders against unwanted or accidental changes. Also included is an option to password protect access to the TimeFreeze program and options, so only the original user can disable the protection.

Clicking on the ‘Start TimeFreeze’ button initiates a precautionary message, similar to the ones which are forever popping up in Windows – “Are you sure you want to do that”. One click on the confirmation button and that’s it – no further interaction is required and you are now working in a virtual environment.

TimeFreeze places an icon in the notification area of the Taskbar which provides access to information about the program’s status, plus options to start and stop features:
  

Once you have completed your assignment and no longer wish to continue working in the TimeFreeze virtual environment, simply right click the tray icon and select Stop TimeFreeze. A new window will then pop up with options to either save or discard any changes made:


Choosing the option to 'save all the changes' merely terminates the TimeFreeze protection and retains any changes made, no further action is required. Electing to 'drop all the changes' initiates a restart, when Windows finishes reloading you will see that all and any changes made while working inside the TimeFreeze envrionment are indeed gone.

The Verdict: I've been utilizing TimeFreeze for a couple of months now and it works perfectly and exactly as advertized. TimeFreeze is a definite keeper, it may not be exactly loaded with options but, for me anyway, that elementary approach is a huge part of the overall appeal. The rare combination of simplicity and total efficacy makes TimeFreeze an easy recommendation and eminently suitable for all users, regardless of levels of proficiency. TimeFreeze can be summed up perfectly in just two words – simply brilliant!